Method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from preformed bags

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags. The packages with internal headers are made by inserting a product or a header into a bag. The bag is sealed to form a first compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other of the product and the header is inserted into the bag. The bag is sealed to form a second compartment that contains other of the product or header. The package is separated from the elongated web of interconnected bags.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging and in particularto a method and apparatus for forming packages with headers by loadingproduct and headers into preformed bags and sealing the bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various methods and apparatus for packaging articles in plastic bags areavailable today or have been suggested in the past. In one packagingmethod, the bags form part of a continuous plastic web. Each bag isconnected to an adjacent bag along a line of weakness. Typically, thebags define an opening on one face through which the bag is loaded.

In early bagging machines, an operator manually loaded the product intothe bag and the bag was pulled downwardly to position the next bag atthe loading station. The loaded bag was then manually severed from theweb.

Machines and methods for automatically loading a chain of interconnectedplastic bags have been developed or have been suggested by the priorart. In general, these machines include a mechanism for sequentiallyfeeding a lead bag to a loading station; a mechanism for expanding themouth of the bag and maintaining it in the expanded condition during aloading operation; and, a mechanism for severing the loaded bag from thechain. If desired, the bag is sealed before severing to form a package.After the loaded bag is severed, the packaging sequence begins againwith the next bag.

The individual bags are usually joined to the chain or web by a line ofweakness generally formed by a plurality of perforations. After the bagis loaded, it is severed from the web along the perforations. Variousmechanisms for automatically severing the loaded bag from the web havebeen developed or suggested.

SUMMARY

The present application relates to a method and apparatus for makingpackages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformedinterconnected bags.

The packages with internal headers can be made from a wide variety ofdifferent types of webs of preformed interconnected bags. In oneembodiment, each preformed bag is defined by first and second plies ofthe web. First and second side edges of the web hermetically join thefirst and second plies. A preformed seal extends between the first andsecond side edges. A line of separation in the first ply extends betweenthe first and second side edges. A line of weakness in the second plyextends between the first and second side edges.

In one embodiment, the packages with internal headers are made by movingthe first ply away from the second ply at the line of separation to forma bag opening. A product or a header is inserted into the bag throughthe opening. The first and second plies are sealed together to form afirst compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other ofthe product and the header is inserted into the bag through the opening.The first and second plies are sealed together to form a secondcompartment that contains the product or header. The second ply isbroken along the line of weakness to separate the package from theelongated web of interconnected bags.

Further advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled inthe art after considering the following description and appended claimsin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary elongated web ofpreformed interconnected bags;

FIG. 1B is a view of the elongated web taken along lines 1B-1B in FIG.1A;

FIG. 2 is a view of an exemplary package with an internal header;

FIG. 3 is a view of the package taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary apparatus for makingpackages with an internal header from an elongated web of preformedinterconnected bags;

FIG. 5 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with a bagpositioned for loading;

FIG. 7 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag beingloaded with a product;

FIG. 9 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag loadedwith product;

FIG. 11 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag beingsealed to enclose the product in the package;

FIG. 13 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 13-13 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag sealedwith the product enclosed in the package;

FIG. 15 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag beingloaded with an exemplary header;

FIG. 17 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 17-17 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag beingsealed to enclose the header in the package;

FIG. 19 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 19-19 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus pulling the webaway from the leaded bag to separate the loaded bag from the web;

FIG. 21 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 21-21 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus releasing anexemplary package with an internal header;

FIG. 23 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 23-23 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary elongated web ofpreformed interconnected bags with preformed header openings thatcorrespond to support openings in headers;

FIG. 25 is a view of an exemplary package with an internal header with asupport opening;

FIG. 26 is a view of the package taken along lines 26-26 in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag with apreformed opening being sealed to enclose the product in the package;

FIG. 28 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 28-28 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag beingloaded with an exemplary header with a support opening;

FIG. 30 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 30-30 in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag with apreformed opening being sealed to enclose the header in the package;

FIG. 32 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 32-32 in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus releasing anexemplary package with an internal header;

FIG. 34 is a view of the apparatus taken along lines 34-34 in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary apparatus for makingpackages with an internal headers from an elongated web of preformedinterconnected bags that includes product and header loading mechanismswith the product loading mechanism loading product into a bag;

FIG. 36 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary apparatus for makingpackages with an internal headers from an elongated web of preformedinterconnected bags that includes product and header loading mechanismswith a sealing arrangement sealing the product in the bag;

FIG. 37 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary apparatus for makingpackages with an internal headers from an elongated web of preformedinterconnected bags that includes product and header loading mechanismswith the header loading mechanism loading a header into a bag; and

FIG. 38 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary apparatus for makingpackages with an internal headers from an elongated web of preformedinterconnected bags that includes product and header loading mechanismswith a sealing arrangement sealing the header in the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to a method and apparatus 10 for makingpackages 12 with internal headers 14 from an elongated web 16 ofpreformed interconnected bags 18.

The packages 12 with internal headers 14 can be made from a wide varietyof different types of webs 16 of preformed interconnected bags 18. Inthe example illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B, each preformed bag 18 isdefined by first and second plies 20, 22 of the web 16. First and secondside edges 24, 26 of the web hermetically join the first and secondplies. Preformed seals 28 extends between the first and second sideedges 24, 26. A line of separation 30, such as a cut in the first plyextends between the first and second side edges 24, 26. A line ofweakness 32, such as a line of perforations in the second ply extendsbetween the first and second side edges 24, 26. The web 16 of preformedbags 18 illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B is one example of the widevariety of different webs that may be used. Examples of acceptable websof preformed interconnected bags include, but are not limited to, thewebs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828 to H. Lerner and U.S. Pat. No.5,957,824 to B. Lerner et al., which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

The web may be formed of any suitable material. Examples of suitablematerials include, but are not limited to, plastic materials,polyethylene, cellophane, vinyl films, pliofilms, cellulose acetatefilm, polystyrene, polypropylene, and any heat sealable material.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example of a package 12 with an internalheader 14. The package 12 illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3 includes firstand second compartments 36, 38. The package 12 may have any number ofcompartments. Product 40 is disposed in the first compartment 36 and theheader 14 is disposed in the second compartment 38. The illustratedproduct 40 is a plurality of bolts. However, the package 12 may containany product. It should be apparent that the product can be in the secondcompartment and the header can be in the first compartment. The firstcompartment is defined by the first and second side edges 24, 26, thepreformed seal 28, and a dividing seal 42. In the example, the dividingseal 42 extends from the first side edge 24 to the second side edge 26to hermetically seal the first compartment 36. In another embodiment,the dividing seal 28 may not extend all the way from the first side edgeto the second side edge or may be intermittent to allow communicationbetween the first and second compartments. The second compartment isdefined by the first and second side edges 24, 26, the dividing seal 42,and a header seal 44. In the example, the header seal extends from thefirst side edge 24 to the second side edge 26. In another embodiment,the header seal may not extend all the way from the first side edge tothe second side edge or may be intermittent.

FIGS. 4-23 schematically illustrate an example of an apparatus 10 formaking packages 12 with internal headers 14 from an elongated web 16 ofpreformed interconnected bags 18. The concept of the apparatus 10 can beimplemented in any of a wide variety of packaging machines. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,468 to H. Lerner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,455 to Gerebyet al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,625 to Kramer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,676 to B.Lerner et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,201 to Cronauer et al. disclosepackaging machines that can be modified in accordance with the presentinvention to make packages with internal headers from an elongated webof preformed interconnected bags and are all incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the illustrated apparatus 10 includes asupply 50 of the elongated web 16 of preformed interconnected bags 18,an indexing mechanism 52, an opening arrangement 54, a sealingarrangement 56, and a controller 58. The supply 50 comprises theelongated web 16 rolled or folded to stage a relatively large amount ofthe web in a relatively small space.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the web 16 is routed from supply 50 along apath of travel P to the indexing mechanism 52. The indexing mechanism 52receives the web 16 from the supply and moves the web along the path oftravel P. The indexing mechanism 52 may take a wide variety of differentforms. For example, any indexing mechanism that can be controlled toindex bags of the web to selected positions along the path of travel maybe used. In the illustrated example, the indexing mechanism comprises apair of rollers 60 that form a nip that engages the web 16. The rollers60 are selectively driven by a motor (not shown) to index bags of theweb to selected positions along the path of travel P.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the opening arrangement 54 is positionedalong the path of travel P to open each bag that is indexed to theopening arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the openingarrangement 54 moves the first ply 20 away from the second ply 22 at theline of separation 30 to form a bag opening 62 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Theopening arrangement 54 may take a wide variety of different forms. Forexample, any mechanism that moves the first and second plies 20, 22apart to form a bag opening may be implemented. In the illustratedembodiment, the opening arrangement 54 comprises a blower. When the lineof separation 30 is positioned near the blower by the indexing mechanism52, air is forced between the plies through the line of separation. Thebag is inflated by the blower to open the bag.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sealing arrangement 56 is positionedalong the path of travel P to provide the dividing seal 42 and theheader seal 44. The sealing arrangement 56 may take a wide variety ofdifferent forms. For example, any mechanism that applies heat to the webto seal the first and second webs together to form the dividing seal andthe header seal 44 may be implemented. In the illustrated embodiment,the sealing arrangement comprises a heated bar 68 that is selectivelymoved into and out of engagement with a base member 70. When the heatedbar 68 is in engagement with the base member 70, the web is clampedbetween the heated bar 68 and the base member 70. Heat is applied to theweb to seal the plies of the web together between the first side edge 24and the second side edge 26.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the controller 58 is in communication withthe indexing arrangement 52, the opening arrangement 54, and the sealingarrangement 56. The controller 58 controls the indexing arrangement 52,the opening arrangement 54, and the sealing arrangement 56 to convertthe preformed bags 18 into packages 12 with internal headers. A widevariety of controllers can be used and programmed to control theindexing arrangement 52, the opening arrangement 54, and the sealingarrangement 56 as described herein. For example, the controller andcontroller algorithms described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,625 to Kramer canbe modified to control the indexing arrangement 52, the openingarrangement 54, and the sealing arrangement 56 to perform the method offorming packages with internal headers as described herein.

FIGS. 6-23 illustrate use of the apparatus 10 to perform a method ofmaking packages 12 with internal headers 14. The packages 12 withinternal headers 14 are made by moving the first ply 20 away from thesecond ply 22 at the line of separation 30 to form a bag opening 62. Aproduct 40 or a header 14 is inserted into the bag through the opening.In one embodiment the header 14 is inserted first. In anotherembodiment, the product 40 is inserted first. The first and second plies20, 22 are sealed together to form the first compartment 36. The otherof the product 40 and the header 14 is then inserted into the bag 18through the opening 62. The first and second plies 20, 22 are sealedtogether to form the second compartment 38. The second ply 22 is brokenalong the line of weakness 32 to separate the package 12 from theelongated web 16 of interconnected bags 18.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the controller 58 controls the indexingarrangement 52 to position the a bag 18 of the web 16 at a bag openingposition. The controller 58 controls the opening arrangement 54 to openthe bag 18 at the bag opening position. Referring to FIGS. 8-11, product40 is inserted into the opened bag.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, the controller 58 controls the sealingarrangement 56 to seal the first and second plies 20, 22 together toform the first compartment 36 that contains the product. The controller58 may also control the indexing arrangement 52 to position the bag 18with respect to sealing arrangement 56 before the dividing seal 42 isformed to apply the dividing seal at a selected position on the package.In another embodiment, the position of the sealing arrangement 56 isadjustable and controlled by the controlled by the controller 58. Inthis embodiment, the controller may control the position of the sealingarrangement 56 to apply the dividing seal 42 at the selected position onthe package.

Once the dividing seal 42 is formed, the controller 58 may cause theopening arrangement 54 to expand the opening 62 of the bag 18 again forinsertion of the header 14 or the bag may remain open from the initialopening operation. The controller 58 may also control the indexingarrangement 52 to position the bag 18 for insertion of the header. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the position of the bag 18 for insertion ofthe header is the same as the position for insertion of the product.Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the header 14 is inserted into the openedbag.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the controller 58 controls the indexingarrangement 52 to position the bag 18 with respect to sealingarrangement 56 to set the position of the header seal 44 on the package.The indexing arrangement may have to move the bag 18 toward or away fromthe indexing arrangement 52 to set the position of the header seal. Thecontroller 58 controls the sealing arrangement 56 to seal the first andsecond plies 20, 22 together to form the second compartment 38 thatcontains the header.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the controller 58 controls the indexingarrangement 52 to pull the web 16 away from the bag 18 as indicated byarrows 74 while the bag is clamped by the sealing arrangement 56. Thebag 18 breaks free of the web 16 along the line of weakness 32. In oneembodiment, the sealing arrangement 56 includes a trimming device 71(see FIGS. 35-38), such as a sharp edge, that cuts off excess materialbetween the header seal 44 and the end of the bag 18 after the bag hasbeen separated from the web. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, thecontroller 58 controls the sealing arrangement 56 to release the formedpackage 12 with internal header 14. The controller may repeat the methodas required to produce additional packages from the web of bags.

FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a elongatedweb 16′ of preformed interconnected bags 18′. The web 16′ issubstantially the same as the web 16 illustrated in FIG. 1, except eachbag 18′ includes a preformed opening 80 or hole through the first andsecond plies. In another embodiment, the web illustrated by FIG. 1 isused and the apparatus includes a punch that punches the hole 80 in theweb 16. FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic illustrations of anotherembodiment of a package 12′ with an enclosed header 14′. The packages12′ are substantially the same as the packages 12 illustrated by FIGS. 2and 3, except the headers 14′ include support openings 82. The preformedopenings 80 correspond to support openings 82 in headers 14′. Theopenings 80, 82 allow the packages 12′ to be mounted for display on arod or hook that extends through the support openings 82. In anotherembodiment, the web 16 and headers 14 illustrated by FIGS. 1-3 is usedand the apparatus includes a punch that punches holes through the web 16and the header.

FIGS. 27-36 illustrate operation of the apparatus 10 to perform a methodof making packages 12′ with internal headers 14′ that include a supportopening 82. Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, a bag 18′ of the web 16′ ispositioned at a bag opening position. The bag 18′ is opened at the bagopening position and product 40 is inserted into the opened bag. Thesealing arrangement 56 form the first compartment 36 around the product.Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30 the header 14′ is then inserted into theopened bag. Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the indexing arrangement 52positions the bag 18′ with respect to sealing arrangement 56 to set theposition of the header seal 44 on the package. The sealing arrangement56 seals the first and second plies 20, 22 together to form the secondcompartment 38 that contains the header 14′. Referring to FIGS. 33 and34, the indexing arrangement 52 pulls the web 16′ away from the bag 18′as indicated by arrows 74 and the sealing arrangement 56 releases theformed package 12′ with internal header 14′ that includes a supportopening 82.

The products 40 and the headers 14 can be inserted into the bags 18 in awide variety of different ways. For example, the products 40 and/or theheaders 14 can be loaded into the bags manually or the products and/orcan be loaded into the bags 18 using a wide variety of different loadingmechanisms. FIGS. 35-38 illustrate an embodiment of the apparatus 10that includes a product loading mechanism 90 and a header loadingmechanism 92. The product loading mechanism 90 is positioned along thepath of travel for loading product 40 into the bag opening. The productloading mechanism is illustrated as a chute, but can be any structurethat directs products 40 into the bag 18. In the exemplary embodiment,the product loading mechanism 90 is controlled by the controller 58 toload the product into the bags. The header loading mechanism 92 ispositioned along the path of travel for loading headers 14 into the bagopening. The header loading mechanism 92 is schematically illustratedand can be any structure that directs products 40 into the bag 18. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the header loading mechanism 92 is controlledby the controller 58 to load the headers into the bags.

Referring to FIG. 35, a bag 18, 18′ of the web 16, 16′ is positioned ata bag opening position. The bag 18, 18′ is opened at the bag openingposition. The controller 58 controls the product loading mechanism 90 toload product 40 into the opened bag. Referring to FIG. 36, the sealingarrangement 56 forms the first compartment 36 around the product.Referring to FIG. 37, the controller 58 controls the header loadingmechanism 92 to insert the header 14, 14′ into the opened bag. Referringto FIG. 38, the sealing arrangement 56 seals the first and second plies20, 22 together to form the second compartment 38 that contains theheader 14, 14′.

It should be understood that the embodiments discussed above arerepresentative of aspects of the invention and are provided as examplesand not an exhaustive description of implementations of an aspect of theinvention.

While various aspects of the invention are described and illustratedherein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, thesevarious aspects may be realized in many alternative embodiments, eitherindividually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof.Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations andsub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as tothe various aspects and features of the invention, such as alternativematerials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, software,hardware, control logic and so on may be described herein, suchdescriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list ofavailable alternative embodiments, whether presently known or laterdeveloped. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of theaspects, concepts or features of the invention into additionalembodiments within the scope of the present invention even if suchembodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, eventhough some features, concepts or aspects of the invention may bedescribed herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, suchdescription is not intended to suggest that such feature is required ornecessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary orrepresentative values and ranges may be included to assist inunderstanding the present invention however, such values and ranges arenot to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be criticalvalues or ranges only if so expressly stated.

1. A method of making packages with an internal header from an elongatedweb of preformed interconnected bags, where each bag is defined by firstand second plies of the web, first and second side edges of the web thathermetically join the first and second plies, a preformed seal extendingbetween the first and second side edges, a line of separation in thefirst ply extending between the first and second side edges, and a lineof weakness in the second ply extending between the first and secondside edges, the method comprising: a) moving one of the web and asealing arrangement relative to the other to a first position thatcorresponds to a desired boundary of a first compartment; b) moving thefirst ply away from the second ply at the line of separation to form abag opening; c) inserting a selected one of a product and a header intothe bag through the opening; d) with the sealing arrangement, sealingthe first and second plies together to form the first compartment thatcontains the selected one; e) inserting an other of the product and theheader into the bag through the opening; f) moving the one of the weband the sealing arrangement to a second position that corresponds to adesired boundary of a second compartment; g) with the sealingarrangement, sealing the first and second plies together to form thesecond compartment that contains the other; h) breaking the second plyalong the line of weakness to separate the package from the elongatedweb of interconnected bags.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein product isdisposed in the first compartment.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein theheader is disposed in the first compartment.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the second ply is broken by clamping the bag with the insertedheader and pulling the web of preformed bags away from the bag with theinserted header.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second ply isbroken by clamping the bag with the inserted header and pulling the webof preformed bags away from the bag with the inserted header by rotatinga pair of nip rollers.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the firstcompartment is hermetically sealed.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein thesecond compartment is hermetically sealed.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein the bag is positioned with respect to the sealing arrangement byindexing the web with a pair of nip rollers.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein the bag is positioned to make the second seal by indexing theweb to move the bag away from the pair of nip rollers.
 10. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the bag is positioned to make the second seal byindexing the web to move the bag toward the pair of nip rollers.
 11. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising repeating the method to formadditional packages with internal headers from the elongated web ofpreformed bags.
 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising punching ahole through the preformed bag and wherein a hole in the header overlapswith a hole in the bag.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the preformedbag includes a preformed hole that overlaps with a hole in the header.14. The method of claim 1 wherein the line of separation comprises aline of broken perforations.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the lineof separation comprises an elongated cut.
 16. The method of claim 1wherein the line of separation comprises a line of weakness that breakswhen the first ply is moved away from the second ply
 17. A method ofmaking packages with an internal header from an elongated web ofpreformed interconnected bags, where each bag is defined by first andsecond plies of the web, first and second side edges of the web thathermetically join the first and second plies, a preformed seal extendingfrom the first side edge to the second side edge, a line of separationin the first ply extending between the first and second side edges thatdefines a bag opening between the web side edges, and a line of weaknessin the second ply extending between the first and second side edges thatconnects the bag to the elongated web, the method comprising: a) movingone of the web and a sealing arrangement relative to the other to afirst position that corresponds to a desired boundary of a firstcompartment; b) moving the first ply away from the second ply at theline of separation to expand said opening; c) inserting a product intothe bag through the opening between the web side edges; d) with thesealing arrangement, sealing the first and second plies together todefine a first seal that extends between the first and second web sideedges and that is disposed between the preformed seal and the line ofseparation to form a first compartment that contains the product; e)inserting a header into the bag through the opening between the web sideedges; f) moving the one of the web and sealing arrangement to a secondposition that corresponds to a desired boundary of a second compartment;g) with the sealing arrangement, sealing the first and second pliestogether to define a second seal that extends between the first andsecond web side edges and that is disposed between the first seal andthe line of separation to form the second compartment that contains theheader; h) breaking the second ply along the line of weakness toseparate the package from the elongated web of interconnected bags. 18.The method of claim 17 wherein the first ply is moved away from thesecond ply by blowing air into the opening.
 19. The method of claim 17wherein the second ply is broken by clamping the bag with the insertedheader and pulling the web of preformed bags away from the bag with theinserted header.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the second ply isbroken by clamping the bag with the inserted header and pulling the webof preformed bags away from the bag with the inserted header by rotatinga pair of nip rollers.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein the firstcompartment is hermetically sealed.
 22. The method of claim 17 whereinthe first compartment is hermetically sealed.
 23. The method of claim 17wherein the bag is positioned with respect to the sealing arrangement byindexing the web with a pair of nip rollers.
 24. The method of claim 23wherein the bag is positioned to make the second seal by indexing theweb to move the bag away from the pair of nip rollers.
 25. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the bag is positioned to make the second seal byindexing the web to move the bag toward the pair of nip rollers.
 26. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising repeating the method to formadditional packages with internal headers from the elongated web ofpreformed bags.
 27. The method of claim 17 further comprising punching ahole through the preformed bag and wherein a hole in the header overlapswith a hole in the bag.
 28. The method of claim 17 wherein the preformedbag includes a preformed hole that overlaps with a hole in the header.29. The method of claim 17 wherein the line of separation comprises aline of broken perforations.
 30. The method of claim 17 wherein the lineof separation comprises an elongated cut.
 31. A method of makingpackages with an internal header from an elongated web of preformedinterconnected bags, where each bag is defined by first and second pliesof the web, first and second side edges of the web that hermeticallyjoin the first and second plies, a preformed seal extending from thefirst side edge to the second side edge, a line of separation in thefirst ply extending between the first and second side edges that definesa bag opening between the web side edges, and a line of weakness in thesecond ply extending between the first and second side edges thatconnects the bag to the elongated web, the method comprising: a) movingone of the web and a sealing arrangement relative to the other to afirst position that corresponds to a desired boundary of a firstcompartment; b) moving the first ply away from the second ply at theline of separation to expand said opening; c) inserting a header intothe bag through the opening between the web side edges; d) with thesealing arrangement, sealing the first and second plies together todefine a first seal that extends between the first and second web sideedges and that is disposed between the preformed seal and the line ofseparation to form the first compartment that contains the header; e)inserting a product into the bag through the opening between the webside edges; f) moving the one of the web and sealing arrangement to asecond position that corresponds to a desired boundary of a secondcompartment; g) with the sealing arrangement, sealing the first andsecond plies together to define a second seal that extends between thefirst and second web side edges and that is disposed between the firstseal and the line of separation to form the second compartment thatcontains the product; h) breaking the second ply along the line ofweakness to separate the package from the elongated web ofinterconnected bags.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the first ply ismoved away from the second ply by blowing air into the opening.
 33. Themethod of claim 31 wherein the second ply is broken by clamping the bagwith the inserted header and pulling the web of preformed bags away fromthe bag with the inserted header.
 34. The method of claim 31 wherein thesecond ply is broken by clamping the bag with the inserted header andpulling the web of preformed bags away from the bag with the insertedheader by rotating a pair of nip rollers.
 35. The method of claim 31wherein the first compartment is hermetically sealed.
 36. The method ofclaim 31 wherein the second compartment is hermetically sealed.
 37. Themethod of claim 31 wherein the bag is positioned with respect to thesealing arrangement by indexing the web with a pair of nip rollers. 38.The method of claim 37 wherein the bag is positioned to make the secondseal by indexing the web to move the bag away from the pair of niprollers.
 39. The method of claim 37 wherein the bag is positioned tomake the second seal by indexing the web to move the bag toward the pairof nip rollers.
 40. The method of claim 31 further comprising repeatingthe method to form additional packages with internal headers from theelongated web of preformed bags.
 41. The method of claim 31 furthercomprising punching a hole through the preformed bag and wherein a holein the header overlaps with a hole in the bag.
 42. The method of claim31 wherein the preformed bag includes a preformed hole that overlapswith a hole in the header.
 43. The method of claim 31 wherein the lineof separation comprises a line of broken perforations.
 44. The method ofclaim 31 wherein the line of separation comprises an elongated cut. 45.An apparatus for making packages with an internal header comprising: a)a supply of an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags, whereeach bag is defined by first and second plies of the web, first andsecond side edges of the web that hermetically join the first and secondplies, a preformed seal extending between the first and second sideedges, a line of separation in the first ply extending between the firstand second side edges, and a line of weakness in the second plyextending between the first and second side edges; b) an indexingmechanism positioned to receive the web from the supply and move the webalong a path of travel; c) an opening arrangement positioned along thepath of travel to move the first ply away from the second ply at theline of separation to form a bag opening; d) a sealing arrangementpositioned along the path of travel for providing seals between thefirst and second plies between the first and second side edges; e) acontroller in communication with the indexing mechanism, the openingarrangement, and the sealing arrangement, wherein the controller isprogrammed to: i) position the bag of the web of bags at a bag openingposition with the indexing mechanism, wherein the bag opening positionpositions the web with respect to the sealing arrangement in a firstposition that corresponds to a desired boundary of a first compartment;ii) open the bag with the bag opening arrangement to allow a selectedone of a product and a header to be placed in the bag; iii) seal thefirst and second plies together with the sealing arrangement to form thefirst compartment that contains the selected one with the sealingarrangement; iv) maintain the bag open with the bag opening arrangementto allow an other of the product and the header to be placed in the bag;v) position one of the web and sealing arrangement to a second positionthat corresponds to a desired boundary of a second compartment; vi) sealthe first and second plies together with the sealing arrangement to formthe second compartment that contains the other of the product and theheader with the sealing arrangement.
 46. The apparatus of claim 45wherein the controller is programmed to position the bag at a first sealposition with the indexing mechanism where the sealing arrangement makesa first seal to form the first compartment.
 47. The apparatus of claim45 wherein the controller is programmed to position the bag at a secondseal position with the indexing mechanism where the sealing arrangementmakes a second seal to form the second compartment.
 48. The apparatus ofclaim 45 wherein the controller is programmed to clamp the bag with thesealing arrangement and pull the web away from the bag to beak thesecond ply along the line of weakness to separate the package from theelongated web of interconnected bags with the indexing mechanism.
 49. Anapparatus for making packages with an internal header comprising: a) asupply of an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags, where eachbag is defined by first and second plies of the web, first and secondside edges of the web that hermetically join the first and second plies,a preformed seal extending between the first and second side edges, aline of separation in the first ply extending between the first andsecond side edges, and a line of weakness in the second ply extendingbetween the first and second side edges; b) an indexing mechanismpositioned to receive the web from the supply and move the web along apath of travel; c) an opening arrangement positioned along the path oftravel to move the first ply away from the second ply at the line ofseparation to form a bag opening; d) a product loading mechanismpositioned along the path of travel for loading product into the bagopening; e) a header loading mechanism positioned along the path oftravel for loading a header into the bag opening; f) a sealingarrangement positioned along the path of travel for providing sealsbetween the first and second plies between the first and second sideedges; g) a controller in communication with the indexing mechanism, theopening arrangement, the product loading mechanism, the header loadingmechanism, and the sealing arrangement, wherein the controller isprogrammed to: i) position the bag of the web of bags at a bag openingposition with the indexing mechanism, wherein the bag opening positionpositions the web with respect to the sealing arrangement in a firstposition that corresponds to a desired boundary of a first compartment;ii) open the bag with the opening arrangement; iii) insert a selectedone of the product and the header into the bag with the correspondingproduct loading mechanism or header loading mechanism; iv) seal thefirst and second plies together to form the first compartment thatcontains the selected one with the sealing arrangement; v) insert another of the product and the header into the bag with the correspondingproduct loading mechanism or header loading mechanism; vi) position oneof the web and sealing arrangement to a second position that correspondsto a desired boundary of a second compartment; vii) with the sealingarrangement, seal the first and second plies together to form the secondcompartment that contains the other of the product and the header withthe sealing arrangement.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein thecontroller is programmed to position the bag at a first seal positionwith the indexing mechanism where the sealing arrangement makes a firstseal to form the first compartment.
 51. The apparatus of claim 50wherein the controller is programmed to position the bag at a secondseal position with the indexing mechanism where the sealing arrangementmakes a second seal to form the second compartment.
 52. The apparatus ofclaim 50 wherein the controller is programmed to clamp the bag with thesealing arrangement and pull the web away from the bag to beak thesecond ply along the line of weakness to separate the package from theelongated web of interconnected bags with the indexing mechanism. 53.(canceled)
 54. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of moving the oneof the web and the sealing arrangement to a second position is performedby indexing the web to a second position.
 55. The method of claim 1wherein the step of moving the one of the web and the sealingarrangement to a second position is performed by moving the sealingarrangement to a second position.
 56. The method of claim 1 comprisingthe step of fixing a relative size of the first and second compartmentsby adjusting a distance moved by the one of the web and the sealingarrangement between the first and second positions.
 57. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the step of moving the one of the web and the sealingarrangement to a second position is performed by indexing the web to asecond position.
 58. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of movingthe one of the web and the sealing arrangement to a second position isperformed by moving the sealing arrangement to a second position. 59.The method of claim 17 comprising the step of fixing a relative size ofthe first and second compartments by adjusting a distance a distancemoved by the one of the web and the sealing arrangement between thefirst and second positions.
 60. The method of claim 31 wherein the stepof moving the one of the web and the sealing arrangement to a secondposition is performed by indexing the web to a second position.
 61. Themethod of claim 31 wherein the step of moving the one of the web and thesealing arrangement to a second position is performed by moving thesealing arrangement to a second position.
 62. The method of claim 31comprising the step of fixing a relative size of the first and secondcompartments by adjusting a distance a distance moved by the one of theweb and the sealing arrangement between the first and second positions.63. The method of claim 45 wherein the controller is programmed toposition the one of the web and the sealing arrangement to a secondposition by moving the sealing arrangement to a second position.
 64. Themethod of claim 45 wherein the controller is programmed to fix arelative size of the first and second compartments by adjusting adistance a distance moved by the one of the web and the sealingarrangement between the first and second positions.
 65. The method ofclaim 49 wherein the controller is programmed to position the one of theweb and the sealing arrangement to a second position by moving thesealing arrangement to a second position.
 66. The method of claim 49wherein the controller is programmed to fix a relative size of the firstand second compartments by adjusting a distance a distance moved by theone of the web and the sealing arrangement between the first and secondpositions.